Team DailyPedia
Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco is pushing for stronger measures to combat corruption in public infrastructure projects through a bill that seeks to expand the powers of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
Tiangco filed House Bill No. 5699, which proposes the creation of the Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption (ICAIC) — a body that will investigate and prosecute anomalies and controversies in government-funded infrastructure programs.
“The people demand a mechanism to ensure accountability and transparency in government infrastructure projects, which have been a constant source of corruption,” Tiangco said.
“Naiinip na ang taumbayan. Kailangan na nating bilisan ang aksyon at bigyan ng kapangyarihan ang ICAIC upang mapanagot ang mga may kagagawan ng mga anomalya… para mabawi rin ang kanilang ninakaw.”
The proposed ICAIC will be granted broader authority to file cases, issue subpoenas, seek preventive suspensions, and request hold departure orders against public officials suspected of corruption — powers that the existing ICI currently lacks.
“Sa mga nagdaang hearing, nakita naman natin ang limitasyon ng ICI sa powers nilang mag-imbestiga,” Tiangco explained.
“Wala silang power to issue contempt kapag hindi nag-appear ang mga naisyuhan nila ng subpoena. Binigyan din natin sila ng power to issue hold departure orders, at mag-apply sa korte para makarekober at mag-sequester ng properties.”
Tiangco emphasized that the proposed ICAIC will not replace the Office of the Ombudsman or the Department of Justice (DOJ), but will work alongside them to build stronger cases.
“The commission’s findings and recommendations are intended to assist the Ombudsman or DOJ in case build-up and prosecution,” he clarified.
“This is to ensure that cases filed in court will be successfully prosecuted and that convictions will be obtained. When the public sees that public officials are held accountable, the government can regain the people’s trust and confidence.”
He added that as calls for accountability grow louder, the government must act decisively.
“When the demand for accountability resonates louder in all walks of life, the government should not simply turn a blind eye,” Tiangco said. “The government must proactively address the public’s demand and ensure that the highest form of accountability and culpability will be imposed.”
If passed into law, the ICAIC will serve as a stronger, more empowered watchdog against corruption in infrastructure projects — one of the most persistent sources of public mistrust in government spending.
